Skip to main content
  1. Species/

Taraxacum officinale

Common Names: Common Dandelion,
Taraxacum officinale
Taraxacum officinale

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Taraxacum
Species: Taraxacum officinale

Conservation Status

Identifying Features

Dandelions produce a single floret, with many tiny leaves that can range from bright yellow to orange. The leaves are jagged, lobed, and grow at the base of a hollow milky stem. The fruits are tiny, brown seeds with cotton-like attahcments that are often carried by the wind.

Habitat & Range

Dandelions can be found in fields, trail-sides, and open areas and are widepspread in North America, occupying all 50 states of the US and in most Canadian provinces.

Behavior

Dandelions are considered a “weed” and can colonize many habitats due to their efficiancy in spreading weeds through wind currents. It is a prolific seed producer and a single plant can produce several thousands of seeds per year. They are often found in large groups spread across the area.

Life Cycle

Dandelions bloom in the spring and fall between April-September. The flowers bloom in the morning and close at night.

Featured image by James Dake.

Related

Ageratina altissima
White Snakeroot
Helianthus tuberosus
Jerusalem Artichoke
Cichorium intybus
Chicory